A second suspect has surrendered in the shocking case of an Italian businessman who was allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and held captive for nearly three weeks in a luxury New York City townhouse. The victim, a business partner of both suspects, escaped on May 16th and flagged down a police officer, his body bearing the brutal marks of his ordeal. News footage shows the terrified man, disheveled and shoeless, running down the street in search of help.
The primary suspect, John Woeltz, known in some circles as the “crypto king of Kentucky,” faces numerous charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and assault. Police allege that Woeltz, along with his business partner, William Duplessie, held the victim captive in the six-story Nolita townhouse. The alleged motive? To force the victim to reveal his Bitcoin password.
The victim’s ordeal was reportedly horrific. He was bound, pistol-whipped, had a gun held to his head, suffered a chainsaw attack on his leg, and was subjected to other unspeakable acts of violence. His captors even dangled him from the building and threatened his family. The sheer brutality of the alleged crimes has sent shockwaves through the city.
Duplessie, who surrendered to authorities with his lawyers, is expected to face charges as well. While the exact nature of his involvement remains unclear, investigators believe the relationship between the three men was volatile, culminating in the violent kidnapping. Police believe the victim had been subjected to previous, less severe attacks by the two suspects.
Following Woeltz’s arrest, investigators discovered a disturbing collection of evidence at the townhouse, including Polaroid photos depicting the victim’s torture and various instruments used in the alleged crimes. A gun, believed to be the weapon used to threaten the victim, was also recovered. The townhouse itself was described as a party house with stripper poles and liquor strewn about, a stark contrast to the horrific events that unfolded within its walls.
Woeltz, reportedly a wealthy cryptocurrency trader with an estimated net worth of $100 million, was renting the luxury townhouse for a reported $30,000 per month. The victim, estimated to be worth $30 million, refused to comply with their demands for his Bitcoin password, leading to the brutal assault. Woeltz has been ordered held without bond, and his attorney has yet to comment publicly on the case.
This case highlights the dark side of the cryptocurrency world and the lengths some will go to for financial gain. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue to piece together the events of this horrifying ordeal.
